posted April 15, 2024
The nomination of Prince Yusuf Asamah Kadiri, SAN, as the deputy in Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata’s gubernatorial ticket under the Labour Party (LP) indeed marks a significant move in Edo State’s political landscape, with considerations for demographic balance and religious inclusivity
The thoughtful approach taken by the Labour Party in Edo State to include both a Christian and a Muslim on their gubernatorial ticket reflects a commitment to inclusivity which could enhance their appeal to a broad spectrum of voters, because this move acknowledges and respects the diverse religious identities within the state and sends a message of unity and representation.
For a society as diverse as Nigeria, where religion often plays a significant role in political and social life, such a gesture by the LP can be particularly impactful, as it demonstrates a willingness to bridge religious divides and work towards a more inclusive and cohesive society.
It is important to note that the pairing of Olumide, with his track record of breaking barriers in his professional career, and Asamah Kadiri, known for his humility, grassroots organization, and political networking expertise, seems designed to appeal to a wide range of voters. This combination of a Christian governorship candidate and a Muslim deputy sends a strong message of inclusivity and representation, addressing a historical imbalance in Edo State politics.
This move not only reflects the LP’s commitment to diversity but also positions them as a party willing to bridge divides and prioritize the interests of all constituents. In a political landscape often marked by polarization, such a strategy could resonate positively with voters seeking candidates who prioritize unity and representation.
According to Sam Etinosa Onaiwu, an international design, build and furnish expert who doubles as a public affairs analyst, he said, “the Labour Party, by presenting a ticket that is representative of different religious communities, will be able to resonate with voters who value diversity and inclusivity in governance”, stressing that this approach not only has the potential to broaden the party’s appeal but also aligns with the principles of democracy that emphasize representation and inclusivity.
As the gubernatorial election approaches, it will be interesting to see how this dynamic ticket resonates with voters as the other parties had ignored taking similar steps to address demographic balance in their own candidate selections.
According to proud LP stakeholder and grassroot mobilizer, Kenneth Iyi-Eweka, he highlighted that, “if you look at the APC government, the ripples created by the Muslim-Muslim ticket of Tinuba/Shettima caused a great resentment from Christians because they felt marginalized”, and “this is what LP wants to avoid because every group or religion matters to us”, he said.
Interestingly, the addition of Prince Yusuf Asamah Kadiri to the Labour Party’s gubernatorial ticket as deputy has indeed been viewed by political analysts as a move that could help address cynicism in governance and promote inclusivity in Edo State. By balancing the ticket with a Muslim deputy to complement the Christian governorship candidate, the LP has taken a step towards ensuring that governance is more representative and sensitive to the diverse religious demographics of the state.
The strategic move has the potential to reassure voters who may have felt marginalized or overlooked in the past, particularly in terms of religious representation and also sends a message of unity and cooperation, suggesting that the LP is committed to working across religious lines to move the state forward.
Prince Yusuf Asamah Kadiri is a highly numerate legal mind and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
He is popularly known as Prince Asamah Kadiri. But his friends and close acquaintance fondly called him various sobriquets, such as, ‘Enikhe’, ‘Agbomheike’ or ‘Ogbemudia’. Among his childhood peers, he is simply ‘Asas’ or ‘Doctor’.
Asamah Kadiri is a multiple award winning commercial lawyer, an international arbitrator and mediator, with a knack in insolvency and corporate rescue processes.
He is involved in human capital development initiatives, philanthropy and community mentoring and leadership. He has been honoured with several awards and recognitions in community development.
Asamah was born into the Kadiri Royal Family of Auchi Sacred Kingdom in Edo State, his mother Hajia Princess FM Kadiri, a renown educationist and grassroot Women Mentor.
For his various community development initiatives, Prince Asamah Kadiri was conferred a royal chieftaincy title as Yerima of Auchi Sacred Kingdom and was publicly turbaned by the Otaru of Auchi, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aliru H. Momoh, on May 14, 2021.